Recommendation-based electronic program guide with multiple modes of operation

ABSTRACT

A novel electronic program guide (EPG) and its associated method allows a viewer/user to navigate through a multitude of programs and locate a program or programs of interest using three contemporaneously available, distinct modes of operation which depend on the degree to which the viewer/user is decided regarding programs to view or reproduce. In the first mode of operation, ideal for completely undecided viewers/users, the EPG recommends programs based upon a compiled user profile, or based upon the desire of a service provider. In the second mode of operation, ideal for partially decided viewers/users, the viewer/user inputs criteria information such as the genre, program content rating, or program length, and the EPG makes program recommendations using the criteria information. In the third mode of operation, ideal for viewers/users who have a definite program in mind, the viewer/user inputs program identity information, and the EPG locates the identified programs and makes them available for viewing or reproduction. Separate areas of the display screen are devoted to (and appropriately highlighted) inputting or displaying program information associated with the modes of operation. Recommendations can be generated in exchange for monetary consideration (“sponsored recommendations”) and the system can be configured to preferentially direct the viewer to particular programming, in an imperceptible manner (“imperceptible bias”).

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] The present application claims priority to co-pending ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/338,398 entitled “Modal and RecommendationBased Electronic Program Guide and Method for Selecting TelevisionProgramming”, filed on Dec. 7, 2001, and having a common inventiveentity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to electronic programguides used to allow a viewer to select from a multitude of availableprograms.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) are specialized graphical userinterfaces (GUIs) that allow users to navigate through a multiple ofprograms available for viewing or reproduction. Many EPGs present one ormore layered displays—often available on a dedicated televisionchannel—to give a user an inventory of programs available for viewing orreproduction, as well as schedules and other details (e.g., channels,program length, program synopsis, etc.) about the programs. Pointingdevices are often used to control and navigate within the displays, aswell as to activate links to the programs of interest. EPGs areespecially useful for television viewers who receive a great deal oftelevision stations, as is increasingly the case with cable andsatellite television services.

[0006] One common complaint of prior art EPGs is that they are not veryhelpful to viewers/users who are not sure about which program to view.While the displays may be attractively arranged, the user must stilloften sift through a great deal of information, making the process oflocating a desirable program time-consuming, boring and intimidating forthe “technologically challenged.”

[0007] Improvements in the prior art include presenting the viewer/userwith a list of default program choices to reduce complexity and displayscreen clutter. This approach is often rudimentary, and not thoroughenough to give a viewer/user enough meaningful choices that mightactually be of interest. Other approaches allow a viewer/user who issure about which program to view or reproduce to enter the identity ofthe program interest and link to the program.

[0008] The aforementioned approaches are either not as comprehensive asdesirable, or they are not very effective for the range of viewers/userswho may have widely differing degrees of decisiveness regarding theprograms that they would like to view or reproduce.

[0009] What is therefore desirable, but non-existent, is an EPG andmethod which allow comprehensive navigation, but are equally effectivefor viewers/users who do not have any initial idea of which program toview, as well as those who know exactly which program to view, andgradations in between.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the aforementioned problems and deficiencies of theprior art, the present invention provides, via a graphical userinterface, a method for allowing a user to navigate through and selectprogramming of interest. The method at least includes the steps ofproviding multiple programs for viewing or reproduction, generating aninteractive graphical user interface, and displaying via a commondisplay, selected programs and a program guide when desired. The methodfurther at least includes the steps of, in response to user input,locating programs of interest in at least three distinct viewing modescorresponding to the level of the user's decisiveness regardingdesirable programs to view or reproduce, all viewing modes beingaccessible via the common display.

[0011] The present invention also provides a graphical user interfacefor allowing a user to navigate through and select programming ofinterest. The graphical user interface at least includes a multipleprogram source adapted to provide multiple programs for viewing orreproduction, a graphical user interface display generator adapted togenerate a display, and a graphical user interface controller adapted tocontrol the operation of the graphical user interface. The graphicaluser interface is adapted to enable the user, via a common display, tolocate programs of interest in at least three distinct viewing modescorresponding to the level of the user's decisiveness regardingdesirable programs to view or reproduce, all viewing modes beingaccessible via a common display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0012] Features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the description below, withreference to the following drawing figures, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a general illustration of the display of the electronicprogram guide of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a general illustration of the display in FIG. 1applicable to a first mode of operation;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a general illustration of the display in FIG. 1applicable to a second mode of operation; and

[0016]FIG. 4 is a general illustration of the display in FIG. 1applicable to a third mode of operation.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An electronic program guide in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention iteratively narrows program choices based on acombination of user inputs and system recommendations, and therebyallows program viewers (or viewers of other types of programs) toquickly and easily access desired programming. Viewers/users can inputinformation based upon their current preferences or their specificprogram desirability. System recommendations can be based upon a user'sstored preference profile, and/or a service provider or other systemoperator's input. System operator input, in turn can be based upon anyof a number of selected features, including payment by advertisers orprogramming providers for prominent or “premium” placement ofadvertising, programming and recommendations.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the present-inventive EPG isoperated in three major modes, although more or fewer modes can beincorporated into an actual implementation. The illustrated modesinclude the following:

[0019] MODE 1 (“Undecided”), where the viewer/user has little or no ideaof which program to view or reproduce, and relies upon the EPG forprogram recommendations without any initial user input;

[0020] MODE 2 (“Partially Decided”), where the viewer/user has some ideaof which program to view or reproduce, and initially inputs criteriainformation that EPG uses to make program recommendations; and

[0021] MODE 3 (“Decided”), where the viewer/user is decided about whichprogram to view or reproduce, and enters specific program identityinformation that the EPG uses to locate the programs desired.

[0022] One embodiment of an EPG according to the invention uses agraphical user interface generally conforming to the display 100 inFIG. 1. The distinct areas serve separate functions, and are highlightedwhen activated according to the operation modes.

[0023] A “Recommended Show” (or “Recommended Program”) area 110 displaysprograms recommended for viewing by the EPG. A “Show Criteria” (or“Program Criteria”) area 120 displays both potential program criteriainformation, as well as program criteria information that has beenselected to locate desirable programs. A “Show Name Entry” (or “ProgramIdentity Entry”) area 130 allows a user to enter specific programinformation used by the EPG to locate identified programs. An auxiliaryentry and display area 140 is used when areas 120 or 130 are highlightedto allow a user to type information or more easily enter alphanumericcharacters (For example, see FIG. 4, where instead of enteringinformation via a conventional keyboard, alphanumeric characters arehighlighted by a cursor or other highlighter, and then entered byactivating an entry key. This allows the EPG to function using only aremote control device rather than needing a computer or typewriter typekeyboard).

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) display, as itwould appear during MODE 1 operation. The user who is undecided cansimply scroll through a list of recommended programs and tune in to aselected program by activating a link to the channel currently showingthe program of interest. The user preference profile is a matter ofdesign choice, and may include demographic information, as well specificinterests or non-interests. The recommended shows are ranked from themost recommended program to the least recommended (albeit recommendednonetheless).

[0025] As an example, the recommended program list for a mid-twentiesmale with interests in sports, reality television, action-dramas, andcomedies might be:

[0026] 1. Sopranos

[0027] 2. Real World

[0028] 3. Monday Night Football

[0029] 4. American Pie

[0030] 5. Law & Order

[0031] As previously mentioned, the program recommendations can also bemade by a service provider (i.e., cable television provider, satellitetelevision provider, etc.). For example, a cable service operator can,by agreement with content providers, and for a fee, feature certainprograms in the Recommended Program area.

[0032]FIG. 3 illustrates a GUI display, as it would appear during MODE 2operation. The user who is partially decided about what types ofprograms he or she would like to view can highlight or enter programcriteria information in area 120 with the aid of area 140. Numerouscriteria can be used, such as the program genre, the program rating(e.g., MPAA rating), and the program length. The display area 140 canalso show a sub-menu to further define the general criterion selected(e.g., the genre can be represented by categories such as comedy, drama,and action/adventure). Upon the user entering the program criteria, theEPG displays recommended programs in area 110 for selection and viewing.

[0033] Using the example user identified in connection with FIG. 2, thesame user in MODE 2 might decide to narrow his program interests tocomedies, in which case, the list of recommend programs in area 110might read:

[0034] 1. American Pie

[0035] 2. Sex in the City

[0036] 3. Drew Carey Show

[0037] 4. Tom Green Show

[0038] 5. The Big Lebowski

[0039]FIG. 4 illustrates a GUI display, as it would appear during MODE 3operation. The user who is decided about what types of programs he orshe would like to view could enter program identity information viaareas 130 and 140. The user can simply type the program name if akeyboard is among the system hardware. Otherwise, the alphanumericcharacters can be entered via the remote control device or other deviceby highlighting and activation. The identified program or programs willappear in the Recommended Area 110. Rather than requiring full programnames, the EPG might simply list recommended programs that have nameswhose initial characters match the characters entered by the user. Forexample, if a user with the same profile as the one discussed withregard to FIGS. 2 and 3 simply enters the letter “S,” the recommendedprograms might be as follows:

[0040] 1. Sopranos

[0041] 2. Sex in the City

[0042] 3. Survivor

[0043] 4. South Park

[0044] 5. Simpsons

[0045] However, if the same user enters “SO,” the recommended programsmight then appear as follows:

[0046] 1. Sopranos

[0047] 2. SouthPark

[0048] It should be noted that absent the present inventive EPG andmethod, a conventional program guide might simply list the followingprograms in alphabetical order when only the letter “S” is entered,which is often of only limited use:

[0049] 1. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

[0050] 2. Sagwa, the Chinese Cat

[0051] 3. Sally Jessie Raphael

[0052] 4. Sap, the Lifeblood of Trees

[0053] 5. Sealab

[0054] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertainswill appreciate that a viewer/user can use all of the previouslydescribed operation modes during the same viewing session for moreefficient program navigation.

[0055] The generation of a Recommended Programs list can be carried outin a variety of ways, including matching program description and programlength information with the viewer's viewing history and stored viewingpreferences. In addition, the generation of a Recommended Programs listcan include inputs based on payments or other consideration receivedfrom advertisers or programming content providers for enhanced placementin a recommendation list or EPG display of advertisements or televisionprograms. In addition, advertisers and program content providers can payfor enhanced presentation in response to searches conducted using thesystem. For example, a beverage company could pay for enhancedpresentation of advertisements or sponsored programming in response tosearches conducted for “Sports” programming. In addition, advertisersand program content providers could pay for the establishment of auser-imperceptible “bias” or preference” toward affiliated advertisingor programming, such that users are undetectably “steered” toward suchadvertising or programming. This imperceptible bias or preference couldbe superimposed upon the other selection and recommendation criteriadescribed elsewhere in this document. Accordingly, the system supportsboth imperceptible, system-established preferences and sponsoredrecommendations.

[0056] Variations and modifications of the present invention arepossible, given the above description. However, all variations andmodifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art to which thepresent invention pertains are considered to be within the scope of theprotection granted by this Letters Patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. Via a graphical user interface, a method forallowing a user to navigate through and select programming of interest,the method comprising: providing multiple programs for viewing orreproduction; generating an interactive graphical user interface;displaying via a common display, selected programs and a program guidewhen desired; in response to user input, locating programs of interestin a plurality of distinct viewing modes corresponding to respectivelevels of a user's decisiveness regarding programs to view or reproduce,the viewing modes being accessible via the common display.
 2. The methodin claim 1, wherein for a first mode of operation, the method furthercomprises: providing a recommended programs area on said display;providing at least one recommended program in said recommended programsarea from which a user can select for viewing or reproduction.
 3. Themethod in claim 1, wherein for a second mode of operation, the methodfurther comprises: providing a program criterion area on the display;via the program criterion area, receiving program criterion informationfrom a user; providing a recommended programs area on the display; inresponse to the program criterion information, providing at least onerecommended program in the recommended programs area from which a usercan select for viewing or reproduction.
 4. The method in claim 1,wherein for a third mode of operation, the method further comprises:providing a program entry area on the display; via the program entryarea, receiving program identity information from a user; in response tothe program identity information, providing links to identified programsfrom which a user can select for viewing or reproduction.
 5. The methodin claim 2, further comprising: compiling a user profile comprisingprevious programs viewed or reproduced by a user; wherein therecommended programs are determined in response to said user profile. 6.The method in claim 2, wherein the recommended programs are determinedby a service provider having control over the step of providing multipleprograms.
 7. The method in claim 2, wherein said recommended programsare presented in a ranked order or recommendation.
 8. The method inclaim 3, wherein the program criterion information includes programgenres.
 9. The method in claim 3, wherein the program criterioninformation includes program ratings.
 10. The method in claim 3, whereinthe program criterion information includes program lengths.
 11. Agraphical user interface for allowing a user to navigate through andselect programming of interest, the graphical user interface comprising:a multiple program source adapted to provide multiple programs forviewing or reproduction; a graphical user interface display generatoradapted to generate a display; a graphical user interface controlleradapted to control the operation of said graphical user interface;wherein the graphical user interface is adapted to enable the user, viaa common display, to locate programs of interest in a plurality ofdistinct viewing modes corresponding to a level of the user'sdecisiveness regarding desirable programs to view or reproduce, allviewing modes being accessible via a common display.
 12. The graphicaluser interface in claim 11, wherein for a first mode of operation, thedisplay comprises a recommended programs area, and at least onerecommended program is displayed in the recommended programs area fromwhich a user can select for viewing or reproduction.
 13. The graphicaluser interface in claim 11, wherein for a second mode of operation, thedisplay comprises a program criterion area, program criterioninformation is received via the program criterion area from a user, andin response to the program criterion information, at least onerecommended program is displayed in the recommended programs area fromwhich a user can select for viewing or reproduction.
 14. The graphicaluser interface in claim 11, wherein for a third mode of operation, thedisplay comprises a program entry area, program identity information isreceived via the program entry area from a user, and in response to theprogram identity information, at least one identified program isdisplayed in the recommended programs area from which a user can selectfor viewing or reproduction.
 15. The graphical user interface in claim12, further comprising: a user profile compiler adapted to compile auser profile comprising previous programs viewed or reproduced by auser; wherein the recommended programs are determined in response to theuser profile.
 16. The graphical user interface in claim 12, wherein therecommended programs are determined by a service provider having controlover the multiple program source.
 17. The graphical user interface inclaim 12, wherein the recommended programs are presented in a rankedorder or recommendation.
 18. The graphical user interface in claim 13,wherein the program criterion information includes program genres. 19.The graphical user interface in claim 13, wherein the program criterioninformation includes program ratings.
 20. The graphical user interfacein claim 13, wherein the program criterion information includes programlengths.
 21. Via a graphical user interface, a method for allowing auser to navigate through and select programming of interest, the methodcomprising: providing multiple programs for viewing or reproduction;generating an interactive graphical user interface; providing arecommended programs area on said display; and providing, in saidrecommended programs area, at least one recommendation from which a usercan select a program for viewing or reproduction, the recommendationbeing provided in response to any of system- or user-specifiedpreference parameters.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein thesystem-specified preference parameters include system preferencesestablished in response to receipt of monetary consideration in returnfor placement of selected recommendations.
 23. The method of claim 21wherein the system-specified preference parameters include systempreferences established in response to receipt of monetary considerationin return for establishment of selected recommendation bias.
 24. Themethod of claim 23 wherein selected recommendation bias includespreferential recommendation of a program affiliated with the provider ofthe monetary consideration.